Ryan Ludwick will be returning to Texas this week as part of the Rangers traveling party that's playing in San Antonio against the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of the Big League Weekend.
Ludwick, who began his major-league career with the Rangers, would like to make the move a little more permanent this season by winning a roster spot.
He's certainly got a chance. Ludwick, 36, is one of the frontrunners for the leftfield job with Texas despite getting off to a slow start this spring. The 12-year veteran, who is in camp on a minor-league deal, has the most impressive resume of those vying for a roster spot but he knows that doesn't mean much.
"Obviously being a non-roster invite you have to come in more prepared and be ready from Day 1," said Ludwick, who was originally drafted by Oakland and then traded to the Texas organization in 2002. "Whether it's in a B game, intrasquad or here for early work it's one of those scenarios now where it's game on and you have to be all in. At 36 years old I don't feel pressure anymore."
What Ludwick does feel is healthy, which is a big deal for someone who's had six surgeries in his career, with the last being for a torn labrum and anterior capsule in his right shoulder in 2013. That limited him to 38 games for Cincinnati that season but he was healthy in 2014, playing in 112 last year for the Reds. He hit .244 with nine homers and 45 RBI but struggled after the All-Star break, batting just .198.
Now Ludwick is competing against young players like Ryan Rua and Jake Smolinksi for time in left field. He's up for the challenge.
"I've been in that position a ton so as far as up and down, hurt, not hurt and fighting for a starting job," said Ludwick, who was an All-Star for St. Louis in 2008 when he hit 37 home runs. "Just because I've been playing for the last seven years doesn't mean I've had a starting job given to me. Pressure is what you make of it. I feel like that's the experience factor is something I can use to my advantage."
Ludwick's experience with the Rangers isn't much of an advantage because he was in Texas so long ago. He made his debut for the Rangers in 2002. He was with the club in 2003 when they made they had their first spring-training in Surprise. He was a teammate with Colby Lewis the first time Lewis was with the Rangers before he got dealt to Cleveland in the summer of 2003.
That doesn't mean Ludwick doesn't have fond memories of his brief time in Texas.
"I was here the first year this place (Surprise) opened up," said Ludwick, who has lived in Georgetown for more than a decade. "Obviously that stadium in Arlington is fresh in my dome. It's just like any other place you play. There's history there. I had my first hit here. I had my first homer here. It was my first big-league call-up. There was a lot of good stuff that happened for me in Texas."
That was one of the reasons Ludwick opted to sign with the Rangers. And when he made that decision it wasn't because he thought he could be the starting left fielder either.
"I feel like I can help a ball club win," he said. "Whether that's in left field, right field, first base, on the pitcher's mound, I'm strictly here from a veteran's standpoint chasing another opportunity to get to the postseason. I can help this ball club win. Whatever way that is that's what I'm here for."
Ludwick is batting just .190 this spring with his lone homer coming in the Cactus League opener. That's more than 50 points lower than Rua's average (.241) and more than 150 lower than Smolinksi (.364).
Manager Jeff Banister likes the competition in left.
" I think there's something to be said about competition and creating a competitive atmosphere within your daily structure," Banister said. "You have to start winning today. It creates an edge and atmosphere throughout the entire camp. That's kind of special piece of the puzzle that you cultivate and culture and continue to get players motivated by showing up every day."
Ludwick's been doing that for years and he'd like to do it for Texas this season.
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